The Raiganj assembly seat in West Bengal is set for a crucial by-election on July 10. The battle is primarily between Krishna Kalyani of the Trinamool Congress (TMC), Manas Kumar Ghosh of the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), and Mohit Sengupta of the Congress, creating a triangular contest.
Reason for the By-election
The Raiganj seat became vacant after BJP MLA Krishna Kalyani resigned to contest the 2024 Lok Sabha election on a TMC ticket, which he lost. Interestingly, Kalyani had won the Raiganj seat in 2021 on a BJP ticket but later switched allegiance to the TMC.
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Historical Context
Raiganj has been a stronghold for the Congress from 1996 to 2021. However, the 2021 assembly election saw BJP’s Krishna Kalyani defeating TMC’s Kanhaiya Lal Agarwal. The Congress candidate, Mohit Sengupta, finished third in that race.
Candidate Profiles
Krishna Kalyani (TMC)
Background: Businessman, former BJP MLA who switched to TMC.
Education: B.Com from Chaudhary Charan Singh University, Meerut.
Assets: Approximately ₹7.5 crores in movable assets and ₹2.42 crores in immovable assets.
Liabilities: ₹83 lakh debt.
Criminal Record: None.
Political History: First-time MLA in 2021 from BJP, later joined TMC.
Manas Kumar Ghosh (BJP)
Background: Former primary school teacher, vice president of the North Dinajpur BJP Committee.
Education: Details not specified.
Assets: ₹20 lakh in movable assets and ₹64 lakh in immovable assets.
Liabilities: Not specified.
Criminal Record: One case registered at Raiganj police station.
Political History: Previously associated with TMC, joined BJP in 2023.
Mohit Sengupta (INC)
Background: Former MLA, long-time Congress leader.
Education: B.Com from Raiganj University.
Assets: Over ₹1 crore in movable assets and ₹36 lakh in immovable assets.
Liabilities: ₹10.5 lakh debt.
Criminal Record: One case registered at Raiganj police station.
Political History: Elected as MLA from Raiganj in 2011 and 2016, finished third in 2021.
Current Political Landscape
The TMC has never won the Raiganj seat, making this by-election particularly challenging for them. Krishna Kalyani’s switch to TMC and his candidature adds an interesting twist. The BJP, buoyed by its 2021 victory, fields a new candidate, Manas Ghosh, hoping to retain the seat. Meanwhile, the Congress, reeling from its 2021 defeat, places its bet once again on Mohit Sengupta, despite his poor showing last time.
Additional Candidates
Apart from the main contenders, the by-election will also see candidates from other parties and independents:
North Bengal People’s Party: Balram Chakravarty.
Independents: Anwarul Haq, Prabhas Roy, Fakira Mohammad, Bahamani Hansda, Vinay Kumar Das.
Key Issues and Campaign Dynamics
The key issues in the by-election revolve around local development, governance, and party loyalty. Each candidate brings a unique background and set of promises to the table, appealing to different voter bases within Raiganj. The outcome of this by-election will be a significant indicator of the political trends leading up to the 2024 general elections in West Bengal.
Voting Details
Voting for the Raiganj by-election will take place on July 10, with a total of nine candidates contesting. The results will provide insights into the shifting political allegiances and sentiments within the constituency, reflecting broader trends in the state.
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